Virender Sehwag made an astonishing claim, saying that Virat Kohli approached him about becoming India’s head coach after the former captain had a falling out with the then-head coach Anil Kumble. Sehwag discussed his meeting with Indian Cricket Board officials for the position.
Kumble was named India’s head coach in June 2016, but his contract expired a year later, following the 2017 Champions Trophy. Kumble resigned from his position following India’s defeat in the final to Pakistan.
According to Sehwag, then-Indian Cricket Board secretary Amitabh Choudhary informed him that things were not going well between Kohli and Kumble and that the board wanted him to take the job. “I wouldn’t have applied if Virat Kohli and then BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary hadn’t approached me,” Sehwag told News18 India.
“We had a meeting, and he (Choudhary) told me that things weren’t working out between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble we want you to take the coaching position. He told that me that Kumble’s contract will expire after the Champions Trophy in 2017 and then you can travel to West Indies with the team,” he added.
I got so much love and appreciation from fans: Virender Sehwag
When asked if he had any regrets about not captaining India, Sehwag responded diplomatically. The former India opener expressed satisfaction with his career accomplishments. “Not at all, I’m happy with what I achieved,” said Sehwag.
“Coming from a small family of farmers from Najafgarh I got the opportunity to play for India, got so much love and appreciation from fans and even if I would have captained Team India I would have gotten the same respect.”
Following India’s loss to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Kumble was replaced by 1983 World Cup champion Ravi Shastri. Rahul Dravid is currently the Indian head coach, while Rohit Sharma has replaced Kohli as India’s all-format captain.
India is currently playing against the Australian side in a three-match ODI series. The series is currently levelled at 1-1, with the series decider set to be played in Chennai on the 22nd of March.
